Ardbeg Ten Years Old is the cornerstone of the Ardbeg range, renowned as the peatiest, smokiest, most complex single malt whisky. Despite this, it does not overpower you with peat, rather it gives way to the natural sweetness of the malt to produce a whisky of perfect balance. A classic Islay malt and one for peat lovers.
70cl at 46% alc./vol. Non chill-filtered
Check out the rest of the Ardbeg range.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE
A burst of intense smoky fruit escapes into the atmosphere of peat infused with zesty lemon and lime, wrapped in waxy dark chocolate. Bold menthol and black pepper slice through the sweet smoke followed by tarry ropes and graphite. Savour the aroma of smoked fish and crispy bacon alongside green bell peppers, baked pineapple and pear juice. Add water and an oceanic minerality brings a breath of cool, briny seaspray. Waxed lemon and lime follows with coal tar soap, beeswax and herby pine woodlands. Toasted vanilla and sizzling cinnamon simmer with warm hazelnut and almond toffee.
TASTE
An explosion of crackling peat sets off millions of flavour explosions: peat effervesces with tangy lemon and lime juice, black pepper pops with sizzling cinnamon-spiced toffee. Then comes a wave of brine infused with smooth buttermilk, ripe bananas and currants. Smoke gradually wells up on the palate bringing a mouthful of warm creamy cappuccino and toasted marshmallows. As the taste lengthens and deepens, dry espresso, liquorice root and tarry smoke develop, coating the palate with chewy peat oils.
FINISH
The finish goes on and on, long and smoky with tarry espresso, aniseed, toasted almonds and traces of soft barley and fresh pear.
